title: Influence of functional impairment and social support on depressive symptoms in persons with diabetes.
abstract: Tested the buffering model of social support among 158 adults with diabetes. We predicted that, among patients with higher levels of illness-related impairment, adequate social support would act as a buffer against depression. Measures included the Beck Depression Inventory; the Sickness Impact Profile; and an assessment of the adequacy of social support to enable the patient to deal with illness-related tasks, domestic chores, financial responsibilities, and emotional needs. Depressive symptoms correlated positively with functional impairment (r = .58, p less than .001) and negatively with the adequacy of social support (r = -.31, p less than .001). In addition, social support moderated depression in the face of greater impairment such that, among patients who reported the most illness-related functional disabilities, adequate support provided a relative protection from depression. The findings suggest that individuals with inadequate support are most at risk to become depressed when disability related to illness increases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Toronto Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Littlefield
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Rodin
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Craven
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010556:Personality Tests; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support